29 Oktober 2010

The last customer qualification flights involving the Royal Australian Air Force's new KC-30A tankers will be flown by early November, clearing the way for two of the modified Airbus A330s to be handed over before the end of the year.

"We are now doing a final few flights with the customer to clear the deliveries," says Gabriel Garcia Mesuro, Airbus Military's head of flight operations for the A330 multi-role tanker transport. Totalling around six sorties, the work will include final activities with the Boeing F-18 and Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters, night flights and work involving two KC-30As, he says.

The RAAF will in early December take delivery of the second and third aircraft from its five-unit KC-30A programme. The latter has been modified in Australia by Qantas Defence Services and is currently being painted in Paris as part of its final pre-delivery preparations, Mesuro says. Aircraft one should be transferred in the second quarter of next year, after its flight-test instrumentation has been removed at Getafe near Madrid.

Australia's fourth KC-30A is being converted by Qantas, with the company due to receive the programme's last aircraft for modification in early 2011.

Two more A330 tankers have already entered flight testing in Spain under the UK's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project. Mesuro says the first modified examples for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are on track to follow suit around early 2011.

Airbus Military secured military certification for its A330 MRTT design from Spain's INTA authority in early October.

Vietnam has started mass production of missile boats Molniya Project 12418 under license purchased from Russia

MOSCOW, (ARMS-TASS) Vietnam has started serial production of 10 missile launches a Molniya Project 12418 under licenses acquired from Russia.

Production commenced in the contract for purchase of 12 boats of this type, the first two of which were built in Rybinsk and transferred to Vietnam in 2007-2008. About this ARMS-Tass learned at the international exhibition "Interpolitech", opened today in the OCE in Moscow.

Currently, the Vietnamese shipyard laid the first boat, currently under construction on the design and technological documents transmitted to the Vietnamese side of the St. Petersburg Central Maritime Design Bureau (IKBB) "Almaz", where a project 12418.

The Russian side is also responsible for the technical supervision of construction and provides all the necessary consultations.

All Vietnamese boat building will be equipped with both domestic and foreign equipment.

As previously reported ARMS-Tass Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS Russia), Mikhail Dmitriev, between Russia and Vietnam is an agreement for licensed production of Russian missile boats, which cost almost reached 1 billion. In addition, in the next few years Vietnam will be delivered two patrol craft "Gepard-3.9", which are built on Zelenodolsk Shipyard.

As emphasized by Mikhail Dmitriev, "Vietnam - a strategic partner of Russia in military-technical sphere, the country is among the top ten states with which Russia has the most large-scale cooperation."

28 Oktober 2010

Lidar sensors are on front corners of roof; radar and lidar centrally mounted in the bumper. (photo : Aviation Week)

Singapore is expected to issue a request for proposals next year for new logistics vehicles — and, for the first time, wants the new trucks to be ready for adaptation to unmanned operation.“It’s the first time we have seen that in an official bid document,” says Ron Ziebell, vice president for international programs at Oshkosh Defense.Oshkosh is likely to pitch a version of the U.S. Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truck, which it is building for the service under a five-year, 23,000-vehicle contract. (The first Oshkosh-built FMTVs are being tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and full-rate production is due to be underway next summer.)Light Combat Tactical Vehicle/LCTV (photo : Aviation Week)On show at the Association of the U.S. Army symposium in Washington is an FMTV equipped with the latest version of the company’s TerraMax autonomous guidance system. While the guidance system itself is still under development, the changes to the truck that allow it to be operated robotically are mature. They include steer-by-wire, with no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the drivetrain (the steering wheel itself is back-driven) and full electronic control for the engine, brakes and transmission.

The unmanned control suite itself includes two spinning lidar sensors on the cabin roof, and forward-looking lidar and radar in the front bumper, together with GPS and a digitial terrain system. The lidar can compare the sensed terrain image with the terrain database to cross-check the vehicle's position.

Also new from Oshkosh is the all-black Light Combat Tactical Vehicle (LCTV) demonstrator, a fast, four-seater diesel-electric vehicle built to show off new technologies. It is a no-chassis design with automotive subframes attached to a unibody armored pod supplied by Plasan. Its 400-hp engine is linked to a 250-kw. generator that drives two rear-mounted electric propulsion motors.

Philippine army received 21 airboats from Australia (photo : Philippine Army PAO)

The Philippine Army recently acquired 21 new airboats from the Australian government under the Joint Philippines-Australia Army Watercraft (JPAAW) Project. The airboats and their ancillary support and maintenance equipment arrived at Polloc Port, Parang, Maguindanao on 11 September 2010. Initial operational testing of the boats has been conducted in time for the formal handover of the airboats by the Australian Government to the Philippine Government on 15 October 2010.

Detail of Airboat (photo : Philippine Army PAO)

Under the joint project, Australia and the Philippines have developed an Army watercraft capability to support the AFP’s conduct of counter terrorism and humanitarian operations in the Liguasan Marshes. One of the components of the project is the provision by Australia of 21 airboat systems, each consisting of an airboat and trailer, together with basic operator training and two-year in-service support. The watercraft will enhance the AFP’s capacity to patrol the riverine waterways of the Liguasan Marsh and thereby help deny access to the area by transnational terrorist groups and improve security for the benefit of local communities. The watercraft will also provide the AFP with a capability to conduct enhanced humanitarian relief operations around the marshlands.

The airboat used for patrol the riverine (photo : mindanaoexaminer)

Australia’s support for the JPAAW Project is part of a wide-ranging commitment to assist the Philippines in meeting security and development challenges in Mindanao.

WASHINGTON, – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of 17 SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD Warhead Compatible Telemetry missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $46 million.The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of 17 SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD Warhead Compatible Telemetry missiles, including AN/DKT-71 Telemeters and assembly kits, spare and repair parts, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $46 million.

Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific and contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

Concept of operation SM-2 block III (image : Raytheon)

The proposed sale of SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD missiles will be used for anti-air warfare test firings during Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials for the Royal Australian Navy’s three new Air Warfare Destroyers, currently under construction. Australia, which has already integrated the SM-2 Block IIIA, will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company in Tucson, Arizona, The Raytheon Company in Camden, Arkansas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

SM-2 block III specification (image : Raytheon)

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

26 Oktober 2010

STRAIGHT AS A DYE: A Chinese-made C-801 guided missile is test-fired from the Thai warship ‘Sai Buri’, marking the end of a major naval defence exercise in the Gulf of Thailand. (photo : Bangkok Post)

Starting Tuesday and running to Nov 14, the Marine Corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct joint drills with their Thai counterparts in Sattahip.

Sino-Thai military ties have steadily improved in recent years, especially between the two armies and navies, and which will also see ties extended between the two air forces in the near future. This has been thanks to Thailand's hedging strategy of maintaining its traditionally close relationship with the US while increasing defence ties with China in support of Beijing's grand plan to secure safe passage at sea.

Dubbed "Blue Assault-2010", the joint training exercise in Chon Buri province will be the first time Chinese marines will have conducted drills with marines from another country, the Chinese National Defence Ministry said, according to a report by the official Xinhua news agency.

The joint drill will focus on anti-terrorism and help the two marine corps learn from each other, enhance mutual understanding and build friendly exchanges and cooperation in a bid to improve the capabilities of both countries' seaborne troops in handling new challenges and threats together, the report said.

SHOW OF STRENGTH: A Chinese fleet is assembled off the eastern port city of Qingdao just weeks after tensions flared following a naval stand-off with the US in the South China Sea. (photo : Bangkok Post)

The exercise will be held just 11 days after the end of a 15-day counter-terrorism training exercise between Thai and Chinese Special Forces in Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.The two armies have been holding annual joint Special Forces exercises since 2007.

Japan's Kyodo news service has also reported that 135 marines from each country will take part in the upcoming 20-day exercise that will include basic and comprehensive training scenarios on land, at sea and in the air.

The first naval exercise between China and Thailand took place in December 2005 in the Gulf of Thailand and was called "China-Thailand Friendship 2005". This exercise featured the People's Liberation Army Navy's guided-missile destroyer Shenzhen and supply ship Weishanhu as well as the Royal Thai Navy frigate Chao Praya.

This was the first exercise China had conducted with a Southeast Asian navy, though similar exercises were conducted with the Pakistani Navy in October 2003 and the Indian Navy in November 2003.

Ties between the two armed forces were widened during the Thaksin administration, thanks to General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's established links with the Chinese leadership, and the integrated economic ties between the two nations.

Military cooperation between Thailand and China actually goes back a bit further to Vietnam's December 1978 invasion of Cambodia. Here Thailand became a supply route for Chinese-made military equipment to Khmer Rouge guerillas fighting the Vietnamese invaders. Clashes between Vietnamese troops and the Thai military as a result also saw Chinese pressure being put on Hanoi with cross-border shelling into Vietnam by the PLA.

Over the past few decades, China has also supplied Thailand with weaponry at knock-down, "friendship prices". In 1987, Thailand became the first Asean country to purchase arms from China and included 400 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), 50-60 tanks and anti-aircraft guns.

A couple of years later the Thailand ordered four Jianghu-class frigates (Bangpakorn, Chao Praya, Kraburi, and Sai buri) and two larger vessels of the same class (Naresuan and Taksin), which were delivered in the early 1990s and still form the bulk of the Royal Thai Navy's fleet.

The patrol boats Pattani and Narathiwat were also built by China.

However, Thai purchases of Chinese military equipment during the 1980s were as much for political reasons as military ones, according to Dr Ian Storey from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in a 2008 article titled: China and Thailand: Enhancing Military-Security Ties in the 21st Century published in the Jamestown Foundation's China Brief. Throughout this period Thailand still looked to the US for its most technologically sophisticated weaponry, such as the F-16 fighter, he said.

The close military ties with the US prompted president George W. Bush to declare Thailand a Major Non-Nato ally in October 2003.

Anthony Davis, a Bangkok-based security analyst with IHS-Jane's, said closer naval cooperation between Thailand and China needs to be seen in the context of a growing Chinese naval footprint in the South China Sea and, indeed, the Indian Ocean.

KICKING OFF: Chinese and Thai Special Forces ended a 15-day joint counter-terrorism training exercise on Wednesday in Guilin of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The training was the third of its kind in four years. (photo : Bangkok Post)

A large proportion of China's oil imports cross both waterways and Chinese naval vessels have recently been involved in anti-piracy patrols off the Somali coast, their most distant operational commitment to date, said Mr Davis.

China's growing focus on the South China Sea and Indian Ocean theatre has involved both naval cooperation with, and the building or upgrading of ports in friendly countries such as Cambodia, Burma, Bangladesh and Pakistan. China is also increasing its engagement at a range of levels with Sri Lanka, added the analyst.

"Sino-Thai military exchanges have been gathering pace over the past decade, so there is nothing radically new here. But the closer cooperation between the two navies will certainly be something that Thailand's traditional big-power ally, the US, will be monitoring closely along with other states in Asean and beyond," said Mr Davis.

India, he said, was particularly watching the extension of Chinese naval power into its Indian Ocean 'backyard' with close attention.

Khien Thiravit, Chulalongkorn University's professor emeritus on political science, said closer military ties between China and Thailand should be welcomed as Bangkok already has established relations with the US.

But Mr Khien, a China expert, said he would like to see, at the same time, warmer and more constructive collaboration between Thailand and her neighbours in the region: "If the military leaders of each country know each other well, this region and the world should be at least be more secure with sensible channel of communications. But this can only happen when the politicians also establish constructive and respectful dialogue with each other as well."

Holding joint military exercises are theoretically a sovereign issue of any nation, but Thailand should also exert some diplomatic finesse to secure the support and understanding of neighbours and allies when it holds them, he noted. In light of China's soft diplomacy, he also urged the Thai government to craft well-calculated policy platforms that can best fit the national interest.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force today welcomed the return of the first of its C-130 Hercules aircraft to have undergone the Life Extension Programme (LEP).

During a short ceremony at Air Force Base Auckland, the aircraft was provisionally accepted by the Air Force from the Ministry of Defence, to commence Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E).

This enables the crews to develop and exploit the capabilities of the new systems leading to optimal use of the aircraft when tasked to support government requirements.

Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Steve Moore, who is responsible for the RNZAF’s operational taskings, said the upgraded Hercules is one of the most comprehensive C-130 upgrades ever carried out.

“The Air Force’s five C-130 Hercules are undergoing an upgrade that includes a new glass cockpit, upgraded navigational capability, an advanced communication suite, a centre wing refurbishment, a new self protection suite and replacement of 98 percent of its original wiring. The upgrades will enhance the ability to meet the varied and demanding tasks required of the aircraft.

“The Air Force is looking forward to commencing OT&E to optimise how our crews operate what is a significantly upgraded aircraft. Many elements of the upgrade will inherently improve reliability and availability of the C-130 Hercules fleet. It is an exciting time for the RNZAF with new and upgraded aircraft coming on board.

“No. 40 Squadron who operates the C-130s, will be able to utilise the aircraft in the many roles undertaken for the government and New Zealand, including tactical air transport, disaster relief and civil defence support, aeromedical transport and support to the New Zealand Antarctic programme,“ said Air Commodore Steve Moore.

Part of the upgraded Hercules package is the C-130 LEP Part Task Trainer (like a flight simulator) which electronically emulates the aircraft systems and thus represents a significant technological leap in terms of training for aircrew.

25 Oktober 2010

Ocelot is a radically different breed. It's based on the success of the lineage of battle-proven vehicles and incorporates V-shaped hull blast-protection with modular flexibility (photo : Force Protection)

Ladson, SC -- Force Protection Australasia, a Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) group company, announced it had reached agreement with the South Australian Government to manufacture and support its Ocelot vehicle in Adelaide, if it is successful in securing the contract to manufacture up to 1,300 next-generation protected mobility vehicles under the ‘Land 121 Phase 4’ program.

Chief Executive Officer, Michael Moody, said that following discussions with the State Government and potential suppliers, South Australia offered the most suitable manufacturing base for the Ocelot.

“Since we first met with the Government and potential suppliers in 2009, it has become clear that South Australia can provide the essential ingredients we need to successfully manufacture and support the Ocelot,” Mr Moody said. “This view was confirmed during my recent discussions with Premier Mike Rann.

“The South Australian Government has been very supportive and highly professional in its discussions with us. South Australia’s reputation as Australia’s ‘Defence State’ is well-founded. I certainly believe that with our Ocelot, the strength and capability of Force Protection and our collaboration with South Australia, we will have a compelling offering for the Commonwealth of Australia.”

Force Protection has identified a site within the Edinburgh Parks precinct, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, as a suitable location for its proposed vehicle manufacturing base.

He said today’s announcement strengthened Force Protection’s commitment to operating in Australia, and looked forward to making further announcements about the company’s plans. This is a significant step forward in the potential development of the Ocelot in Australia.

It also follows an announcement last month that the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) had selected Force Protection Europe as preferred bidder to supply its Ocelot for the MoD’s urgent operational requirement for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle program (LPPV).

Mr. Moody concluded, “The Ocelot now has a first class endorsement from the United Kingdom and is ideally suited to the Australian requirement.”

23 Oktober 2010

FOR an investment of almost $2 billion -- relatively modest by defence standards -- Australia is about to acquire five aircraft that will dramatically boost the capability of the defence forces, and the RAAF in particular.

The aircraft are the Airbus-built multi-role tanker transports, which will give the air force unprecedented regional reach.

Combining those with six airborne early warning and control aircraft plus 24 Super Hornets -- as well as our ageing but upgraded 71 Classic Hornets -- Australia will continue to be the dominant air power in Southeast Asia and beyond.

At the moment the RAAF's combat aircraft can only fly for as long and as far as a single load of fuel will take them. For a Classic Hornet that is 2000km with very limited weaponry.

That is about to change with the reintroduction of aerial in-flight refueling. Unclassified figures show that a single tanker aircraft could support four Hornets over a range of 6500km and still have fuel to spare. That indicative range is enough for Classic Hornets flying from Tindal in the Northern Territory to reach Sri Lanka, Beijing or Tokyo.

The figures are even more impressive for the Super Hornets, which have greater range.

Add on the additional striking distance provided by modern stand-off weapons and you get some idea of what the five tankers will do for the combat power of the RAAF.

The tankers, based on the highly successful Airbus A-330 passenger aircraft, can carry 111 tonnes of fuel without additional tanks, and 270 passengers and eight large cargo pallets -- simultaneously if necessary.

This is possible because the designers of the twin engine A-330 decided to equip it with the same wings as the much larger four-engine long-range A-340, itself able in some configurations to fly with a full load of passengers and cargo more than 15,000km.

Airbus and Airbus Military are owned by European defence and aerospace giant EADS, which has sold Tiger attack helicopters and larger multi-role helicopters to the army through its subsidiary, Eurocopter.

As transports, the aircraft can travel 12,400km with a 15-tonne payload) -- enough range to move troops and cargo from northern Australia non-stop to Afghanistan, Seattle or even to the tip of South America by overflying the Antarctic.

Airbus program director for the Australian tankers, Luis Guerra Pena, says: "This aircraft was born to be a tanker."

This view is shared by the RAAF and three other customers: Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as well as -- possibly -- the biggest user of all: the US, which requires 179 tankers to replace its ageing fleet.

The MRTT was selected as the preferred bidder, only to be forced into a new tender as a result of lobbying by US incumbent Boeing. A decision on the new bid is pending. The Airbus tanker fleet also includes the A-310 MRTT, operated by Germany and Canada.

The conversion of the A-330 has been challenging, with the biggest task fitting two air-to-air refueling systems.

These are hose-and-drogue systems streamed from vacant engine hard points about midway along each wing, and a large, deployable boom lowered from beneath the rear of the aircraft.

Australia needs two refueling systems for the types of aircraft it operates -- hose-and-drogue for the fighters, and a boom for the early warning aircraft and other tankers.

Other changes to the A-330 are the addition of two operator refueling consoles in the cockpit behind the pilots and a variety of military communications equipment.

According to EADS Australia chief executive Fabrice Rochereau, this project "has been a great credit to the skills of local industry, particularly Qantas," as in other EADS defence projects involving Australian small business and EADS subsidiary Australian Aerospace.

Design, development and testing of the prototype aircraft is being done by Airbus Military in Madrid. The remaining four aircraft are being converted by Qantas in Brisbane.

The first two are in flight testing in Madrid including extensive in-flight refuelling tests involving aircraft from Spain, Portugal and France. The third aircraft (the second to be converted by Qantas) has also completed conversion and will soon be ferried to Europe to be painted in RAAF colours.

The A-330 tanker has received military and civil certification, reducing program risk. The first two aircraft are on track to be handed over to the RAAF by Christmas.

All that remains is the completion of certification paperwork.

The aircraft will be operated by 33 Squadron based at Amberley, Queensland. The RAAF says it will take another two or three months for additional checks to be completed in Australia, with the aircraft commencing operations about March next year. Another two aircraft will be delivered later next year, with the final tanker arriving in 2012.

Against conventional wisdom, Australia has been the lead customer in a complex and ambitious aerospace project that can already be considered a great success.

Luis Guerra Pena modestly puts this down to a co-operative relationship with the RAAF, and a great aircraft.

In fact, it is only an accident of timing that Australia took the lead. Initially the first customer was to have been the Royal Air Force, the British plan was for the aircraft purchase to be financed by the private sector.

This might have been a good idea in principle, but the arrangements took 18 months longer than expected, by which stage the RAAF had moved to first place in the delivery schedule.

The delivery is slightly late -- RAAF hoped to receive the aircraft last year -- mostly because of changes mutually agreed between the customer and Airbus.

A commercial A-330 costs about $200 million, depending on configuration, so Australia seems to have boosted its combat and transport capability at a good price. In addition, the Australian companies that have undertaken the conversion work have required certification by Airbus, which means that can now win work on any Airbus aircraft, commercial or military.

The capabilities of the new tankers are so great, one senior RAAF source says, "it will take us several years to learn how to fully exploit the potential of such a potent aircraft".

According to HwangDBS Vickers Research, the six second-generation patrol vessels will be built at BHIC’s Lumut shipyard, which is currently 50% utilised (photo : The Star)

THE construction of six patrol vessels by Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC), a maritime engineering and defence-related services provider, may only begin as early as the fourth quarter of next year.

Analysts estimate that it can easily take another year before BHIC’s letter of intent (LOI) is firmed up and construction of the patrol vessels begin.

“This is as seen with the company’s Scorpene service job, which took a year for the LOI to be firmed up via the letter of award,” ECM Libra said in a research report.

BHIC received a LOI from the local Defence Ministry to construct six second-generation patrol vessels with combatant capabilities.

In its filing with Bursa Malaysia on Monday, the company says its associate company, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BN Shipyard), received the letter dated Oct 15. It adds that the value and duration of the project are to be negotiated with the Government.

However, AmResearch Sdn Bhd says the value of the six new patrol vessels can reach RM8bil, based on a 20% mark-up from the first batch’s price tag of RM6.7bil.

“We understand that the letter of award will be despatched over the next four to six months after the price has been finalised,” it says.

ECM Libra adds that the new order for six patrol vessels with combatant capabilities, littoral combatant ships, has more technical specifications than the first-generation batch which amounted to some RM1bil per vessel.

“We believe per unit cost should be higher. Assuming a value of RM1.2bil per vessel, the contract will provide BN Shipyard with an RM7.2bil orderbook that will likely last it five to seven years,” it adds.

The recent contract, which has been long awaited, is part of a privatisation agreement with the Government for the construction of 27 units of patrol vessels, where six have been completed.

In 1998, BN Shipyard was awarded a contract to construct and deliver six patrol vessels to the Royal Malaysian Navy. The first two were delivered in 2006, followed by two more in 2009. The first two are being used to patrol the waters off Sabah and Sarawak while the third and fourth patrol vessels are guarding the east coast of the peninsula.

According to the BHIC’s 2009 annual report, the remaining two patrol vessels were launched in November 2008 and July last year respectively.

HwangDBS Vickers Research says the second-generation patrol vessels will be built at BHIC’s Lumut shipyard, which is currently 50% utilised. However, AmResearch estimates that 30% of BN Shipyard’s contract will be undertaken by BHIC’s Penang shipyard (Jerejak).

AmResearch has upgraded its call on the stock from a “hold” to “buy” with raised fair value of RM5.50 per share by removing the 20% discount to its unchanged sum-of-parts valuation of RM5.50 per share.

“Our fair value implies a financial year 2011 (FY11) forecast PE (price/earnings) of 10 times. The stock currently trades at an attractive FY11 forecast PE of eight times, which is a bargain for the sole military yard in the country with massive order book prospects,” it said.

BHIC was awarded a contract worth some RM1.3bil by the government to service the two Royal Malaysian Navy Prime Minister-class Scorpene submarines in August.

The contract was given to its subsidiary, Boustead DCNS Naval Corp Sdn Bhd, a joint venture with DCNS SA, a French defence company, and was effective for a period ending Nov 30, 2015.

The contract differed in value from the original letter of intent of RM600mil dated June 4, 2009 due to the inclusion of a full submarine integrated logistics support package.

AmResearch points out that the group’s earnings track record has disappointed in the past year and it maintains FY10 to FY12 forecast earnings pending a significant quarterly earnings improvement and the actual award of the new patrol vessels contract.

For the six months ended June 30, BHIC’s net profit was down 4% to RM31.5mil as a result of cost escalations due to delays in completing certain shipbuilding projects, coupled with reduced contribution from associates. Revenue fell 18% to RM192.9mil from a year ago.

“But the LOI indicates a new flow of awards is likely to gather momentum, which could catalyse a re-rating on the stock,” it adds.

Other potential contracts in the pipeline include new maintenance contracts for the first two patrol vessels, which were delivered in 2006, potentially worth up to RM60mil per annum, and two patrol vessels, worth RM500mil each, for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

This is on top of the RM130.7mil contract secured by BHIC from the Government to design, construct and commission 10 units of fast interceptor craft for MMEA.

Selex Galileo expects to receive a contract to equip the Royal Malaysian Air Force's BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft with a new radar warning receiver (RWR) system.

Named Seer, the self-protection equipment has been designed as a drop-in replacement for BAE's Sky Guardian 200 RWR system, previously installed on platforms including the Hawk.

Selex supported recent flight trials of the new equipment with a Malaysian Hawk. "The RWR met all of the jointly agreed objectives, with Seer being able to detect radars at ranges that were an order of magnitude greater than those achieved by older-generation systems," it says.

Comprising four wide band spiral antennas, two digital detectors, a signal processor and a cockpit display, Seer is "capable of identifying and prioritising complex RF signals in a hostile threat environment", Selex says.

"There are customers out there who are worried about radar threats," says Steve Roberts, Selex Galileo's vice-president capability for electronic warfare systems. "We are getting a lot of interest from those countries."

Latin America and the Middle East are considered to be other potential markets for the new equipment.

Roberts says the company will soon perform a similar flight trial with Seer using an Aero Vodochody L-159 - a type in use with the Czech air force. The equipment is also suitable as an upgrade for the Northrop F-5 fighter, or for use with new-build aircraft and helicopters, he says. A compact version is also to be offered to equip unmanned air vehicles.

Selex has also developed a new electronic support measures system dubbed Sage to equip platforms ranging in size from tactical UAVs to large transport and surveillance aircraft. The company's first proposed installation would give a Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical transport a signals analysis and geo-location function.

The company is targeting applications such as border surveillance and exclusive economic zone monitoring for Sage, and has already held discussions with its Finmeccanica sister companies about its potential inclusion in future maritime patrol aircraft offerings.

Safe Flight Instrument has begun delivery of its Powerline Detection System (PDS) to Enstrom for installation on three Enstrom 480B model helicopters scheduled to be supplied to the Royal Thai Army in the first quarter of 2011.The addition of Safe Flight’s Powerline Detection System was a key component in the contract award to provide the Royal Thai Army with 16 Enstrom 480B model helicopters. These 16 light turbine helicopters will be used primarily for training purposes and will be based at the army's aviation centre in Lopburi province in central Thailand.

Powerline detector (photo : Safe Flight)

The Powerline Detection System will be offered to all other Enstrom 480 operators as a production option or can be installed as an in-service retrofit.

Safe Flight’s Powerline Detection System has been FAA and EASA certified and is currently being operated world wide. PDS is an extremely lightweight and passive system that alerts the aircraft pilot and crew when approaching an energized power line in a heads up attitude. The system provides a visual and aural warning to the crew.

As the aircraft approaches the danger the aural warning intensifies allowing the pilot to avoid contact with the hazard altogether.

A multi-role light turbine helicopter, the Enstrom 480 series has now been certified in 16 countries and has already been operated in 31 countries. With over 130 aircraft in the field now, the 480B is proving to be a popular choice for a wide range of applications, including personal transport, flight instruction, law enforcement, power line patrol, executive transport (charter), electronic news gathering, pipeline patrol, aerial photography, sightseeing, and cargo/passenger delivery.

21 Oktober 2010

Australia’s new Super Hornets are testing their deployment capabilities as No. 1 Squadron conduct their first live weapon trials at the Woomera Test Range, north of Adelaide. Five F/A-18F Super Hornets and about 100 aircrew, maintenance and support personnel from No. 1 Squadron will operate from RAAF Edinburgh during the squadron’s first deployment away from their main operating base at RAAF Amberley, Queensland.

Screen grabs from a Sony HD video camera, of the targets after the impact of the AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon fired from a Super Hornet during firing at Woomera Test Range.

Screen grabs from a Sony HD video camera, of the release of the AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon from a Super Hornet during firing at Woomera Test Range.

Screen grabs from a Sony HD video camera, of the AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon in flight during firing at Woomera Test Range.

Screen grabs from a Sony HD video camera, of the AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon impacting a target during firing at Woomera Test Range.

21 Oktober 2010RSS Swordsman, second of the Archer-class submarine is officially launched in Karlskrona, Sweden. (photo : Mindef)Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, officiated at the launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Archer-class submarine RSS Swordsman at the Kockums Shipyard in Karlskrona, Sweden, today. The submarine was launched by Mrs Ivy Ng, wife of Dr Ng. RSS Swordsman was the second of the Archer-class submarines that the RSN acquired from the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN).Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted that the launch of RSS Swordsman marked another key milestone in the RSN's drive to develop its submarine capability. "The RSN’s submarines are part of an integrated warfighting system which includes our stealth frigates, naval helicopters, missile corvettes and mine-countermeasure vessels", he said. "Together with the Challenger-class submarines, RSS Archer and RSS Swordsman will enable the RSN to better fulfill its mission of protecting Singapore’s sea lines of communication and territorial integrity." As part of his visit to Karlskrona, Dr Ng also met with Sweden's Defence Minister, Sten Tolgfors, who attended the launch ceremony for RSS Swordsman.

The launch of RSS Swordsman reflects the deep strong defence partnership cooperation and longstanding friendship between Singapore and Sweden. Both countries share a close defence relationship founded on many shared interests, which stretches back to the 1970s. Over the years, Singapore's defence relationship with Sweden has matured to encompass wide-ranging interactions and collaborative projects such as the assistance provided by the RSwN to build the RSN's minecountermeasure force and submarine capability.

Dr Ng earlier visited Stockholm on 18 Oct 2010 to meet with Mr Jan Björklund, Swedish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, and signed an agreement to encourage further education collaborations between Sweden and Singapore.

20 Oktober 2010

Davao City -- The Philippine Army will be getting new trucks and force protection equipment for its troops this coming year up to next year as part of its capability upgrade program.

According to Philippine Army Vice-Commander Major General Romulo Supapo the Army has purchased 137 units of 1-½ ton trucks from South Korea which will be received by Army units this year and by the following year it will be distributing new 2 ½ ton 6x6 trucks to other Army units across the country.

The army has purchased 250 of these South-Korean made trucks which will replace the old M-35 trucks from the United States.

Supapo the chairman of the Weapon Systems Board also said that among the purchases will be new armored vehicles for the army. But aside from trucks and armored vehicles the Army is also buying engineering equipment in line with its CMO (civil-military operations) thrust.

"Not just weapons but we will have construction equipment like bulldozers and graders," Supapo said.

Also Supapo announced that the Army has spent P100-million for the purchase of body armor for Army soldiers. These according to Supapo will be essential force protection equipment.

The Army vice-commander was in Davao City last Friday (Oct.15) to award financial assistance checks to wounded Army troopers.

He said that with current improvements in the Philippine Army they had raised the levels of operational readiness particularly in their armaments, mobility and communications.

Supapo said that despite the end of the 15-year Armed Forces modernization program this year. President Benigno Aquino III has assured them of his support in continuing the program which has been termed now as Capability Upgrade Program. It will be enjoying a funding of P5-billion per year.

20 Oktober 2010Some military vehicles that China recently gave to Cambodia as part of a military aid package worth 15 million USD to the Cambodia on June 2010 (photo : Skyscrapercity)

Rising budget is within Cambodia's means

Although the finer details of the proposed 2011 budget remain unclear, the government’s planned 18 percent increase in spending for next year represents good news for the economy in an age of global fiscal austerity.

Should the National Assembly approve the proposal – it seems unlikely it will change significantly given how the CPP rammed through the budget last year despite strong opposition – the government would spend around US$430 million more in 2011. That’s a much larger increase than the additional $163 million attributed to the budget in 2010, when military spending climbed a huge 24 percent – an economically unjustifiable policy given the stress caused by the global crisis.

The government has confirmed that defence spending is forecast to rise by $22 million next year, and Finance Minister Keat Chhon has said a large chunk of the extra spending would go to health, education and infrastructure.

This is reassuring, despite the fact that the private sector has been asked to pick up some of the military’s tab in the form of the bizarre partnerships imposed on a number of companies this year.

The budget outline suggests the government plans to invest in the long-term needs of the economy, a recommendation that the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank have been making since the onset of the economic crisis. Education and infrastructure have remained under-funded for some time. Further spending in these areas – albeit at levels that pale in comparison to many other countries – should be considered a priority.

Cambodia’s double-digit percent increase in spending represents something of a luxury that few other governments can justify but remains within the country’s means. Portugal, for example, forecast a tiny 0.2 percent rise in spending on Saturday, due to a budgetary headache mirrored across Europe. It is saddled with a budget deficit equal to 9.3 percent of GDP, while Cambodia’s deficit is more than 5 percent.

Most economists consider this acceptable in the short-term, given the need for stimulus measures. Even in the context of developing Asia, Cambodia’s state spending is relatively small.

The proposed 2011 budget represents a better proposition for the economy – and the country – than the 2010 plan.

Boustead Naval Shipyard has received a letter of intent from Malaysia's Ministry of Defence to undertake the construction of six Second Generation Patrol Vessels (SGPV) with combatant capabilities.

The value and duration of the project are to be negotiated with the government, parent company Boustead Heavy Industries announced in a filing to the Malaysian Securities Exchange on 18 October.

The SGPV will be a larger and more heavily armed follow-on to the Kedah-class corvettes built for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) under the Next Generation Patrol Vessel programme, although the final design and equipment fit has yet to be finalised.

The SGPV specification calls for a length overall of 99.5 m and displacement of 2,200 tons (full load) in comparison with Kedah-class figures of 91.1 m and 1,650 tons.

Several foreign shipbuilders have submitted proposals based on existing designs that would be modified to fit the Malaysian requirement. BAE Systems is offering a larger version of its 90 m offshore patrol vessel (OPV), Damen Schelde has proposed its SIGMA design, DCNS its Gowind family, Navantia the Caribe-class OPV it is building for Venezuela and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems its K130 corvette.

Several United States-based companies, including Raytheon, are competing for the SGPV's combat and weapon system. The new ship will have anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities and Malaysia has indicated that the combat and weapon systems will be selected separately from the ship design.The government has also stated that all ships should be built by Boustead, although most of the companies that have submitted proposals have called for the first hull to be built in the home country followed by the remaining five in Malaysia. The matter is currently under review.

The SGPV programme is regarded as crucial by the RMN, particularly following the cancellation of a second batch of Lekiu-class frigates. This has led to concern within the RMN that it will lack combat-ship capability in any territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

However, the commitment to the SGPV is likely to mean that the Malaysian requirement for a multi-purpose support ship is to be deferred for the time being. RMN sources have stated that funding will only be provided for one ship procurement programme, with the SGPV getting priority despite the RMN's loss of a significant portion of its amphibious and transport capability with the destruction of the landing ship KD Sri Inderapura by fire in October 2009.The SGPV has been given priority owing to the fact that Boustead Naval Shipyard will have no further major shipbuilding work when the final Kedah-class corvette is completed this year.